Little Leather Library Miniature Book Set

This is a collection of approximately 25-30 miniature books from the Little Leather Library, a popular series produced between roughly 1916 and the early 1920s. These pocket-sized volumes measure roughly 3 by 4 inches. They are constructed with stiff cardboard covers finished in a reddish-burgundy imitation leather (often referred to as 'Croftleather' or an early synthetic), which was an economical choice that replaced the original genuine sheepskin used in the very first 1916 editions. Each cover features intricate blind-stamped or embossed decorative borders and central titles including works by Shakespeare, Poe, and other classical authors. The condition of the collection appears varied but generally fair for their age; there is visible surface wear, corner bumping, and significant fading to the embossed titles. Some edges show fraying of the cover material, and the paper blocks show significant oxidation and yellowing typical of the inexpensive high-acid paper used in mass-market publications of that era. These sets were famously sold as promotional items through Sears Roebuck and Woolworth's, reflecting the early 20th-century movement to make classic literature accessible to the general public.